Brady Label Company Offers Free Handbook on Photoluminescent Marking

Free.  That's always helpful.  Even more helpful is the handy handbook that Brady has published that discusses the International Building Code (IBC), NFPA Life Safety Code, and LEED requirements for Emergency Egress signage and markings.

This objective guide outlines the various code sections, provides some graphics showing placement examples for photoluminescent items, and is very light on advertising hype.  Wow.  Real info not obscured by marketing schmooze.  That's refreshing.

Get yours at:  www.bradyid.com/bradyglo

Tread lightly

It's one thing to have a well marked step nosing so that you don't miss the edge of the step (see previous post here), but is really helps to have something underfoot that glows so you can find it in the dark, too.  This is the EdgeGripGlo fiberglass step nosing plate by FibreGrid Limited.  It has traction grit embedded in the fiberglass binder and is photoluminescent.

Resources:
Balco IllumiTread (http://www.balcousa.com/files/7589_BAL_stairflyer_II_scn.pdf)

EcoGlo (www.ecoglo.us/emergency-lighting-products/stair-nosings-c-268.html)

FiberGrid Limited (www.fibregrid.com/edgegrip_info.php?bc=Edgegrip Standard)

SafeGlow Non-slip Stair Tread Cover (www.safeglow.com/Products.Stair.Products.Pro.html)

Zero International TractionTread Glow (www.zerointernational.com/pdf/PhotoluminescentBrochure.pdf)

GBC Safety Glow Stair Tread Cover (www.gbcsafetyglow.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=104)

Painting the town

As wonderful as glow-in-the-dark photoluminescent tape is, sometimes it is just easier to paint something.  Odd shaped or textured surfaces, or just bulk application frequently makes it more economical to do this, too.  Another reason to paint rather than stick, is that the finish is more permanent.  Tape-based products vary in the type of base material they are made from, and adhesive backing provided.  In high traffic areas (for hands, too, not just feet) tapes can sometimes snag on the edge and either create a trip hazard and/or a peeling problem.  Curious vandals may want to re-appropriate your carefully applied glow-tape, too.

When looking for glow-in-the-dark photoluminescent paints, it is highly recommended that you verify that the products meet ot exceed the New York City MEA 451-05-M-2 Standard for LL26 Safety Evacuation Markings.  These aren't the only certification for products, but it is one of the most common and well publicized references out there.

Also, note that some products don't use the Stontium Aluminate (SrAl) based pigments, either.  The products by GloNation, although very cool and helpful for special effects, use phosphorescent dyes; and the Rustoleum 214945 'Glow-in-the-Dark' Latex paint, which uses zinc sulfide (ZnS).  Many of the cheaper photoluminescent Low Location Lighting (LLL) systems in use today are based on zinc sulfide (ZnS) as the main pigment. The advantage is relatively quick charging, but these products have a limited 'storage' life and the ZnS corrodes over time (2-4 years lifespan).  It also doesn't glow as long or brightly after being charged. However, the introduction of Stontium Aluminate (SrAl) as a pigment, has provided a much higher level of performance. Although it takes slightly longer to charge, it can 'store' more light, making it much more suitable for use in locations where ambient light levels are low, or dark for extended periods.

Lastly, in order to get a good bright glow paint treatment, it is very important to follow the manufacturer's directions (you know: RTFM! ).

• Most of them require a bright white base coat so that there is a reflective surface behind the paint to assist the glow.  If you paint the glow material over a dark surface, then the glow that emits from the back-side of the coating will just be absorbed into the background instead of reflected back out through the nominally transparent glow paint coating.
• Apply several coats of the material to build-up a few mils of  paint thickness.  One thing you will notice with most photoluminescent products is that the brightness of the product is related to the thickness of the product (it is also related the formulation).
• Apply a clear coating to protect the photoluminescent coating.  Otherwise it will eventually scrape-off or wear-off.  This stuff ain't cheap, so make the effort to keep it intact.

You can also apply traction grit additives to the coatings.  Ask your vendor what they recommend, and whether it should be mixed into the photoluminescent coatings, or into the clear over-coat.

Resources:
American Permalight (http://www.americanpermalight.com/) - Spray paint, Acrylic Wall paint, and 2-part Epoxy & Polyurethane paints
EverGlow (www.everglow.us/?everglow=&photoluminescent=6&signs=coatings-paints)
GloBrite (http://www.globriteltd.com/coatings.asp)
GloNation (www.glonation.com/pigmented-glow-paint.html)
GloTech International (www.glotechint.com/paint.htm)
KanKote (http://www.kankote.com/)
KryptaGlow (http://www.krypta-glow.com/)
GBC Coatings (www.gbcsafetyglow.com/glow-polyurea-photoluminescent-glow-in-the-dark-safety-floor-marking-coatings/industrial-photo-luminescent-floor-striping-and-coating.html)
Metal Safe Sign International (www.mss-int.com/prod01.html)
ProLayer Inc. (http://www.prolayerinc.com/)

Get samples.  Apply.  Test - for a really long time - say . . . 12 hours.  Buy the one that works best.

Things that Glow-In-The-Dark

"Glow-Tape" is a staple of any theatre operation.  Its great for making all those things that are shin-busters, head-bangers, and fall-hazards.  How many times have you run-around five minutes before a show with a flash-light 'charging-up' the glow-tape?  Crazy, isn't it?  Especially if you have to do it again between each act.  And after awhile, it just won't 'take a charge' and you have to repace it.  What a pain.

Technology marches forward, and we in the theatre industry benefit from it.  Cool.  The problem is, what if no-one told you there was a better way?  Introducing high-tech glow tape that really does the job.  Strontium-Aluminate (SrAl) is a chemical compound that is non-toxic, non-radioactive, and generally safe to work with.  It has the ability to be 'charged-up' (activated with UV light) and maintain it's glow for 8, 12, 24, even 48 hours (depending upon the exact formulation) after it is activated.  Some products will glow for up to 45 days.  Wow.  Good Stuff.  Very Good Stuff.  This ain't your father's glow tape.  Uh-uh.  And get this: A quality Strontium-Aluminate based product will typically last 20-30 years.  Oooh.  Ahh.  (And the crowd cheers.)

Over the next few posts I'm going to provide information about some of the great benefits and products that are out there that are extremely applicable to the performing arts environment.  Glowing stuff is not just for backstage, it's for many locations around your facility.

For starters, lets look at the great literature that is available.  Check out these web sites for some very good reading material:

PSA (Photoluminescent Safety Association): http://www.plsafety.org/
Check-out their various tabs, particularly the 'Codes' section.

PSPA (Photoluminescent Safety Products Association) http://www.pspa.org.uk/
Download their "PSPA Guide to the Use of Photoluminescent Safety Markings Part 1 Egress Markings in Stairwells" document on the Technical | Standards tab - it's a treasure trove of recommendations.

And for a commonly used reference in the US, visit the New York City Department of Buildings web site to get "Reference Standard 6-1 - Photoluminescent exit path markings"
www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/rs_6-1.pdf

Shin busters in the dark

Orchestra Shell Tower Counterweights. There are two things that you can do to make these a little friendlier:

• Install some foam padding along the edges that will hurt you if you find them in the dark,
• Install / Paint the corners and edges with glow-in-the-dark tape / paint so you can see them in the dark.

Good Resources:

• Glow-in-the-dark paint:
  www.glonation.com
  www.kankote.com
  www.americanpermalight.com
  
• Glow-in-the-dark tapes:
  www.surefootcorp.com/glow_in_the_dark.asp
  www.balcousa.com/glow-in-the-dark-emergency-exit-systems.cfm
  www.americanpermalight.com

Stair Safety - It's All About Contrast Ratios

As our population ages and gets poorer eyesight, the ability to see subtle changes in surfaces before us, particularly in dim light, is diminished. This is a good example of stairs that have no clear transition point. Recommended solution: Install a contrasting color tape or paint strip along the edge of the steps. There are many 'stair tread' or 'grit tape' products out there that are designed for direct application to floors. Just remember to strip the floor of wax and dirt before you do it, otherwise you'll just be creating another hazard in place of the one you just resolved. There are also grit tape strips and paint that have photoluminescent glow-in-the-dark strips in them, which can help in the event of a power outage.

Where this situation occurs on carpeted steps, there are two possible solutions:

• Recarpet the stairs with a two-tone carpet scheme so there is a contrasting color strip for about 2" along the step nose, or
• Add a grit covered metal or fiberglass strip that is screwed-down over the carpet and crushes down the carpet so that the top of the strip is even with the remainder of the carpet so there is not a trip hazard.
  

A solution I have seen that is NOT recommended is laying down a strip of white gaffer's tape. Although well-intentioned, it can work loose and create a trip hazard.

The strip color should contrast the carpet color in low light. Our vision tends to loose the color component in low light conditions, so an easy way to test this is to view the proposed color combination with a black and white video camera or still camera that is slightly out-of focus. If all you have is a color camera, then take the picture and pull the color saturation out of it with a photo editor. What may appear to be a good color combination to youthful eyes in full light, may indeed not be a good solution when viewed as an elderly color-blind person.

Another issue at this location is that the railing does not meet the 4" sphere rule to prevent children from falling through the railing bars.

From an audience focus perspective, the railings in front of the seating should be a dark matte finish so as to not distract from the focus of the game (this is more important in live theatre and cinemas). The railing at the end of the flight of stairs should contrast the background (in this case, the basketball court), so that it's distance is not misjudged.

Other listing of interest: http://theatresafetyblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/tread-lightly.html